DEMARCHE ON U.S. WTO EXPORT CREDITS PROPOSAL

UNCLAS AMMAN 001594 SIPDIS DEPT PASS USTR FOR HAFEMEISTER USDA FOR GRUEFF AND SCANDURRA CAIRO FOR AGCOUNS ACHAUDHRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR JO WTO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON U.S. WTO EXPORT CREDITS PROPOSAL REF: SECSTATE 15027; AMMAN 00666 EMBASSY AMMAN RECEIVED FOLLOWING LETTER ADDRESSED TO AMBASSADOR EDWARD GNEHM FROM DR. SALAH EDDIN AL-BASHIR, MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE QUOTE: I REFER TO YOUR LETTER JANUARY 21, 2003 REGARDING THE LATEST PROPOSAL CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL EXPORT CREDITS SUBMITTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DURING THE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE WTO. IN THIS CONTEXT, WE BELIEVE EXPORT CREDIT PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN USEFUL TO MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND JORDAN IS ONE OF THEM. HOWEVER, JORDAN NOW IS NOT MAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF SUCH PROGRAMS DUE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN COMMODITY PRICES. IN THIS REGARD, I SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE YOUR GOVERNMENT ON THE WELL BALANCED PROPOSAL REGARDING THIS MATTER. UNQUOTE. GNEHM